“Fine. But then you have to tell me more about your own sad tale.”
She smiled. “Whatever you wish to ask, I shall answer.”
“When Papa was hanged and our home and assets taken by the government, we were sent up north to live with a distant cousin. She was our only living relative on either side of the family. Baron Langston and his wife, Eugenia, were not exactly thrilled to have three children to take care of. They already had two of their own. We were not taken into the fold. Instead, we were treated as free labor. Sebastian was assigned to the gardening staff. I to the stables. Sophia, at age eight, became a scullery maid.”
“That’s awful. There’s a place in hell for the Langstons, I suspect.”
“Yes, I believe so. It would have been bad enough to be treated as servants but it was worse than that. My brother and I were often whipped for minor infractions or ones made up by their children. They hated us from the moment we arrived and made an art form out of finding ways to get us into trouble. Sophia was denied food and sent to bed hungry more nights than any child should have to endure.”
“How did you get away?”
“Sebastian and I joined the military, hoping to provide a way out for our sister. We lied about our ages and enlisted when we were still in our teens. Sadly, we had to leave Sophia behind. She was only twelve.”
Georgiana’s mouth dropped open. “So that means you joined up when you were fourteen? Lord Ashford, it’s unspeakable what they did to you.”
“Sebastian and I are tough and lucky. We managed to stay alive through the Peninsular campaigns. When we returned to England after the Battle of Waterloo, we weren’t sure how we were going to survive. As luck would have it, I’m a good poker player. I won the tavern in a game.”
She flinched, as if he’d smacked her. “You won the tavern in a poker game?”
“Yes. Your gossip sources didn’t mention that part?”
“No.” Her jaw set and she suddenly seemed very interested in thecontents of her glass.
“Does that make you think less of me?” James asked. Was it as he’d feared?
She lifted her gaze to his. “My family lost everything because of my father’s gambling. I cannot help but think of that when you tell me such a thing.”
“This may make no difference to you, but I would like to mention that a man in my situation had little going for him, other than his skill at card games. Like you, I found success in a less than morally ideal way. Just as you have.”
“You mean pretending to be a man?”
“That’s right. I mean no offense or even judgment but no matter how you look at it—you lied to me. Tricked me into signing a contract.”
She nodded, before taking a sip of her drink. “As you say, those of us without many choices are often forced into doing something they never thought they would, just to survive.”
“I have to admit, however, hearing you speak about your father and what his gambling did to your family, gives me pause. The man who I won the tavern from didn’t have a family. I suppose that’s how I convinced myself it was my right to take it, as I won it fairly. Anyway, my gambling days are behind me. I left the tavern and the cards in Brighton. I no longer need them. You, on the other hand, are still fighting to make a life for you and your sister. Perhaps we can agree that sometimes the morally messy choice is the only one we have.”
“I want only to give Cecily a chance.”
“I understand. I feel the same way about my own sister.” He glanced toward the fire, thinking he should throw another log into the flames, but didn’t. “Where’s your mother now?”
“She’s staying with a friend in London.”
He could tell by her tone that there was more to the story. “What is she like?” James asked.
Georgiana sighed, looking down at her glass. “There’s no way to say the truth and remain kind. Simply put, Mother’s selfish and helpless, but doesn’t know it. Cecily and I find her challenging in every way. She has not adapted well to her change in circumstance since my father’s death. She’s staying with a friend in London now, but I fear it won’t last. She has a way of alienating those who are doing their best to help her.”
“She sounds difficult.”
“Since I was young, I’ve taken care of her, emotionally, and now financially. If I’d not found Robert, I don’t know what would have become of us. He was the perfect husband for me.”
“You loved him very much?”
“I did.”
The idea that she’d loved her husband bothered him. Which was ridiculous. Firstly, the poor man was dead. Secondly, why should he care about Mrs. Fairfax’s love life? It was none of his concern.
None whatsoever.
